True Love Lies opens with a look into the Sawatsky household; mom Carolyn (Kate Ryan) is filling the dishwasher, daughter Madison (Nicola Elbro) is on her way to look for a job and dad Kane (Frank Zotter) is returning from a business meeting just as son Royce (Thomas Barnet) is returning from a day at high school. They seem like a nice, normal family in a nice, normal situation.
Fortunately for audiences, that statement could not be farther from the truth.
Things quickly get weird when Madison tries to apply for a job working at Mary’s, owned and managed by David McMillan (David Keely), a former…friend of Kane’s. A little prodding around the dinner table reveals Kane’s past relationship with David, much to the chagrin of Carolyn and the disbelief, fascination and disgust of Madison and Royce. Without giving too much away, from that point on, truths are revealed, lies are told, relationships fail and yet, a space of understanding is opened up between all the characters.
The show itself is fast-paced, acerbic and hysterically funny, but also heartbreaking at times. Fraser has written a fantastic script that explores the extremes of human emotion, acceptance, trust and above all, truth. A show like True Love Lies requires the hand of a skilled director, which the company certainly has in Ron Jenkins. His sense of timing and emphasis make lines pop and sizzle. A look can garner big laughs, and the direst moments leave a knife stuck in your throat.
Jenkins also has the benefit of an incredibly talented company of actors. Kate Ryan and Frank Zotter have great chemistry as the awkward parents. Nicola Elbro brings the attitude and a great playfulness to the role of the sexed-up Madison. David Keely is a great contrast to the Sawatsky family in every way; dry, witty and sharp. You cannot take your eyes of Thomas Barnet, the awkward and troubled son, Royce; he ignites onstage.
The design of the show helped bring the mood together. The stage was a beautifully fluid space, with kitchen, dining room and front porch areas that could have belonged to any one of the characters at anytime. I loved the costumes, especially Madison’s perpetually slutty waitress attire, because it was both topical and totally realistic. Aaron Macri’s sound design was as wacky as the show itself, including music by Amy Winehouse, as well as Chic and Lady Gaga.
The beauty of Brad Fraser’s work is how he approaches the topic of human sexuality. Rather than explain it as something that fits neatly into separate categories (gay, straight, bi), Fraser acknowledges that human sexuality exists on a spectrum. No individual has an exclusive sexuality. He also writes fantastic characters that make you sad, make you mad and then make you feel all right about yourself. His characters are all looking for love in some form, and the form in which they find it is never what they expect. They reassure the audience that love, like sexuality, is complex and never neatly categorized.
True Love Lies runs at the Citadel Theatre until May 15. Check out www.citadeltheatre.com or call the Box Office at 780-425-1820 for information, prices and times.
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